Hi, I have put quite a few post its on here and always had lots of good advice.  My dobe is now 17 months, over the last 3 months he had shown a dislike for Schnauzers, he actually showed real dominance over 3 of them and then I decided that I would lead walk him more and do short walks in the park off the lead.  Anyway we have had no problems with other dogs and we haven't met a schnauzer since.  Recently while lead walking him he is just so alert all the time, he totally ignores me while we are walking (on the lead), I speak to him and it is as though he is deaf.  At home, or in the park you call him he comes and he will listen, but on the lead his ears are up and it is like he is on the prowl all the time.  He has always been very well socialised, and has always been lead walked.  It is as though he has changed.  He never seems to settle, even at home.  Yesterday while walking, he saw a lady on the other side of the road and she crossed over, as she approached us he started to growl, his back all went up, the lady was really scared (which is understandable), I did make him stop and sit down and I then spoke to the lady (she was okay, she just said I don't think he likes me!), but anyway I just explained to her he just seemed to be in a funny mood.  He is not always like this, but now I am worrying that he may take a dislike to somebody in the park, and he may be off the lead.  Don't get me wrong he is not aggressive in any way.  The other thing with him is that he follows my husband and myself around at home all the time, every time we move he is up, when we get up we say here he comes "shadow".  I have two boys of 15 and 18, but he never bothers when they move.  Even last night he was laying in the front room and seemed to be in a lovely sleep, but I got up and as soon as I moved up he got.  I just worry, he never seems to be at rest.  We did have a dobe before, but he was not so on guard all the time.  Any suggestions to help relieve him of his constant guarding!

If this was my dog, I think I'd get him checked out by a vet to make sure there's nothing medical underlying this change of attitude.  Then get a referral to a behaviourist, who may be able to spot subtle signs that give clues to what is affecting your boys behaviour.

I have been in touch with a behaviourist, (I actually rang him a couple of weeks ago) he has actually met Mason before on a one to one, but also we attended his training classes.  I am going to contact him again, he has his classes on a Sunday afternoon and he said at anytime I have a problem just go down to see him, which I will do.  My dobe sounds awful, but he isn't.  My husband is going to take him out this morning to see how he is with him.  I did take him to the park yesterday and he was fine.  Thank you for all the advice.

I agree with Digger, what you may be interpreting as "guarding" may actually be something different altogether.

He is at that difficult age for a male where, if handled wrongly, could exacerbate rather than mitigate his behaviour.

I wouldn't worry about the following around - dobes are known as "velcro dogs" for a very good reason :D my guy follows me everywhere as does my rott X, it's perfectly normal behaviour and I myself woudl be worried when a dobe stops following its loved ones around!!  They adore being round people, and most hate being separated even by a room.  He's not guarding, he's just being a soppy family dobe like he should be :) they are very energetic dogs as well, of course - mine is very laid back in the house for a dobe, but he still follows me about when I move.

I won't comment on his behaviour outdoors, I think tohme and digger have said the best there is to say on that already.

Yeh dobes definitely follow their loved ones around every where; I've only had mine for a month (rescue) and he like to go everywhere I do.  I've had a similar problem with what you were describing, he's always loving to people and mostly other dogs unless provoked or people who come to the house who he doesn't know, but only the other day he barked at a man just sat near me, and barked at the two women who run the local dog traing classes, he's never barked at them before!!! The last few days have been boiling hot though, and the vet as well as the trainers think he's just in a bad mood (plus im still trying to stamp my authority down as been the alpha) but what the caps said about getting him checked out is always good :-) any advise from fellow dobe owners would be much appreciated

Luke & Bailey...from the Uk

I agree with the following round bit and somehow he always manages to be stood right in front of me or in front of whatever I'm trying to reach :rolleyes:
I can't comment on the outside behaviour although I can see some similarities -My dobe suffers from selective hearing alot and will ignore me if he chooses and whilst out he is definatley more alert sort of on tippy toes -if we are in crowds he's not bothered by people but if we are down a road/lane with no-one around and someone approaches he does show more interest ( doesn't growl tho' -so I would be concerned at that )
I do find that in those situations if I speak first then it  seems to make him 'stand down'
hth 

Hi i agree with all the other posters but was it an old woman who you approached because if dogs when they're pups aren't socialised with all different types of people, colour and ages they can growl if they've never seen that type of person even with umbrelias and baseball caps.  Also is there a dog in your neighbour hood whats in season.  Male dogs will act really strain and wont settle until that dog is out of heat. I did notice that you said you have socialised well but sometimes people just think it's with other dogs.

Following you around isn't a problem, i feel guilty myself some times when i have to go the loo my bullmastiff is a sleep on the chair but as soon as i get up she's up following me all dogs are like that, they did come from a pack.  Although If you dont wont him to follow you train him to settle, and when you get up to do something train him to stay.  I hope you find out the cause soon.  Good luck.

Warm regards Susan

Hi, actually well socialised I mean with dogs and people.  I have two boys of 15 and 18, and myself and husband have quite a few friends, so my house is often pretty busy.  I also took him to socialisation classes.  I have street walked him encountering traffic on busy roads.  I have tried to incorporate as much as possible as this was stressed when we got him.  Actually when you mentioned about a bitch being in season, its funny as we turned into this road he was sniffing in the air, he definitely got a scent of something here, then my phone rang and I answered it and then the lady approached (she had something in her hand), but she was just a normal lady, just like one of my friends, nothing strange about her.

Also this is the age wehn males are trying to assert themselves and find their place in the grand scheme of things. 

They are a natural guard and will do so whenever they perceive a threat.  A threat will normally be anything out of the ordinary and anyone exhibiting strange behaviour, this will include fear and wariness from other people (which many will display simply because it is a large guarding breed), especailly when on lead.

Many young adult or mature male dobes are not renowned for their good behaviour around other assertive male dogs.

The best approach is to keep the dog focussed on you and demand obedience (tell him to sit) and quietly praise for leaving the person dg or what have you.  You must not get cross or uptight as this will confirm in his mind that he had reason to be wary/on guard as you are upset. 

Basically your manner should tell him "Oi, I don't need looking after, and if there is any growling biting to be done then I will do it"

I walk every day with my freind and her baby and a 2 1/2 year old male and he will often respond suspiciously to strange behving people.  Especially young men who for some reason think it appropriate to eye ball him!  He gets excited when eh sees another dog too.

His owner gets his attention and insists he leaves and walks quietly on, or that he sits quietly until the thing that has got him going has passed.

He is greatoff lead and totally relaxed as if he fels off duty.  His only interest in life then is his ball.  He is fine with other dog off lead too, and would rather fetch his ball.

I must admit what you said about speaking first - with my dobe, he then thinks I know the person and it is okay.  When he growled as the lady approached I was actually on my phone as we were walking, my phone had just rang and I answered it, so I wonder whether he thought I wasn't taking as much notice.

Hiya dgibbo - I must admit , my lad is fairly alert when people are approaching -I have got in the habit of giving him a ''not yer buisness '' sort of talking to and i do try to speak to the other person first -normally cos he's well beamed into them  ,so to put their minds at rest as much as for him , I also try not to pass people- dog to person -I try to be inbetween, not because I don't trust him ( i do totally) but I know other people are nervous and he can sense it -I also have a ''walk on'' command and give a flick of my spare hand sometimes with a treat so he focusses on the hand .
I hope whatever it is you find a solution that suits -they are such contrairy creatures -I must admit I found 6-18 months very hard work ..well to be honest he's almost 4 now and just showing signs of settling ( not that I want to worry you lol ;) )